UK unveils fresh round of sanctions against Russia

The UK government has marked the first anniversary of war in Ukraine by announcing further sanctions against Russia.

The internationally co-ordinated package of sanctions and trade measures, announced on Friday, includes export bans on all items used by Russia in the war to date, including aircraft parts, radio equipment and electronic components.

Senior executives at state-owned nuclear power company Rosatom have also been sanctioned, along with 34 executives connected to state-owned defence companies Rostec and Almaz-Antey Corporation.

Individuals sanctioned include Mattias Warnig, the chief executive of Nord Stream 2 and an alleged "close friend" of Russian president Vladimir Putin, and Lyubov Kabaeva, mother of Duma deputy and former gymnast Alina Kabaeva. Her daughter, who was sanctioned last year, is rumoured to be in a relationship with Putin.

Trade measures, meanwhile, include banning the import of 140 goods, including iron and steel products processed in third countries.

James Cleverly, foreign secretary, said: "We are sanctioning elites who run Putin’s key industries and committing to prohibit the export to Russia of every item Russia has been found using on the battlefield."

Kemi Badenoch, business and trade secretary, said: "UK goods imports from Russia have fallen by 99% since before the invasion, and goods exports to Russia by nearly 80%.

"Working together with our G7 international partners, the Department for Business and Trade is delivering sanctions to further erode Putin’s capabilities to wage war in Ukraine."